A Study of Factors Associated With Wastage in Secondary Education in Kafa and Sheka Zones

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the magnitude and location of wastage in
secondary schools of Kafa and Sheka Zones. It also attempted to identifY the major
factors that contribute to pupils grade repetition and dropout. In addition, the study
was concerned with determining the relationship between pupils', teachers and school
variables with rate of wastage. In order to attain the objective of the study descriptive
method was employed. The study was carried out on three senior secondary schools
that were selected using random sampling technique. The study also involved 206
pupils, 42 teachers and three principals from the three sample schools. Data
regarding pupils enrollment, repetition, drop outs and promotes were obtained from
the documents of the sample schools. Questionnaires and documentary analysis were
the instruments of data collection. The data gathered from documents and
questionnaires were analyzed using percentages and averages.
Based on the results of the analysis, the highest percentage of repeaters was
among females than among males for all grades 9-11. The highest percentage of
repetition being observed at grades nine. It was also found out that the rate of drop
out was relatively higher for boys than for girls, in which the highest was observed at
grade nine, Thus, the over all wastage rate was higher at grade nine. It was revealed
that pupils failure to study hard, shortage of time to study, economic problems, poor
academic performance and early marriage were among the major factors causing
wastage rate of high magnitude. As a result, the wastage rate was found to be a
function of an interaction of multitudes of factors, which can be categorized into
economic, institutional, social and individual problems. Accordingly, the
improvement of these variables may make a considerable change in the frequency of
wastage rate. Therefore, it is recommended that measures related to appropriate and
timely provision of textbooks and learning materials, teachers training, raising the
participation of community, organizing local calendars, improving school services,
and arranging tutorial classes to be taken to reduce the prevailing magnitude of
wastage